This review will contain spoilers for Threadneedle, but will be spoiler-free for Shadowstitch

You can read my review of Threadneedle here.

“You didn’t know how to love except in fear, never learning that love gives fear meaning. I won’t be afraid like you.”

Shadowstitch is the sequel to Cari Thomas’ debut novel Threadneedle, and continues the story of Anna and Effie as they try to discover a means to break their family curse.

Following the turbulent events at the end of Threadneedle, Anna now lives with Selene; a dream she may have once had, but a reality that’s proving very different. Effie and Attis have abandoned her for the summer, fled to Wales together, and so Anna is left alone to deal with her nightmares and her grief, retreating within herself. Fear dogs her steps and colours everything she does as her magic is seemingly out of control. In response, she simply stops doing any magic; yet another thing she bottles inside.

It’s a bleak start to this next step in Anna’s story. When Effie returns, they decide they must find a way to break the curse together, a way that doesn’t risk Attis’ life, and to do this they must follow in their mother’s steps and find out what it was she discovered. With neither agreeing with the methods of the other, it seems an impossible task; they need to come together, to get through this together, but emotions are running far too high and driving a wedge between them.

Of course, outside matters aren’t going to help them either.

Terrifying events of mass hysteria keep breaking out across the city. It starts with the ravens in the Tower of London, as they’re seen flying in circles around the tower, ever uncontrollably faster, before hurtling to the ground. But this soon moves on to people, and before long, Anna’s school is struck. These events of course bring unwanted attention to the world of magic, and people are believing in witchcraft once more. It seems Aunt’s fears of hunters weren’t entirely unfounded, and Anna and Effie find themselves unsafe in school, under the scrutiny of an inspector.

All this to say that Thomas has really ramped up the stakes this time round, in what was already a heart-poundingly dramatic series. There is so much danger threatening the sisters from so many different angles, I was afraid to put the book down, burning through the pages to find out what would happen next; would the inspector discover them, would Anna solve another piece of the puzzle of their curse, what would her magic do next, what accusation would Darcy throw at them next, and what the hell is wrong with Manda now? It really doesn’t let up.

I think probably my favourite aspect of these books is Thomas’ world of magic. It’s so easy to be utterly consumed by the sheer imagination of her magic, and I could read story after story in this world – it’s the purest form of escapism. This time round, we explore the dark and subversive world of death magic, a cult-like grove of witchcraft equally seductive and dangerous. Anna, Effie, Miranda and Rowan are all yet to discover their own languages, so we’re treated to a plethora of possibilities as they explore their magic; Anna reluctantly, as every time she does it goes hopelessly wrong and her fear grows.

This is a story about emotions, about the importance of allowing yourself to feel them. It’s a story of sisterhood – friendship and love, and the bonds you make therein. It’s a powerful story that continued to sweep me along right to the very last page (no Cari Thomas I have not forgiven you for that!!) and left me suspended, desperate for more. You need this series in your life.

Shadowstitch is available now, you can order your copy HERE